As the number of people on NHS waiting lists hits a record high, new data has been released showing the size of the problem across Devon's four district hospitals.
The Government has set out its plans to reduce NHS waiting times by focusing on those waiting the longest.
The new figures reveal more than 1,100 people have been waiting more than two years for hospital appointments in the county and almost 13,000 have been on Devon hospital waiting lists for over a year.
In December, 189 cancer patients had waited more than 62 days to be seen in Devon.
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And the backlog for people waiting on diagnostic tests has built up with more than 12,000 people waiting over six weeks for a first test.
The waiting lists backlog plan focuses on eliminating the longest waits. Waits of more than two years will be eliminated by July this year, the Government promises, and waits of over a year by March 2025.
How far off target are hospitals in Devon?
Waiting lists
TORBAY AND SOUTH DEVON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
148 people waiting over two years/ 2,383 people waiting over one year / 55.7 per cent waiting less than 18 weeks / Average wait in weeks - 14.8
NORTHERN DEVON HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST
5 people waiting over two years/ 1,316 people waiting over one year / 59.6 per cent waiting less than 18 weeks / Average wait in weeks -13.3
ROYAL DEVON AND EXETER NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
550 people waiting over two years/ 6,128 people waiting over one year / 50.6 per cent waiting less than 18 weeks / Average wait in weeks -17.6
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS PLYMOUTH NHS TRUST
420 people waiting over two years/ 2,980 people waiting over one year / 62 per cent waiting less than 18 weeks / Average wait in weeks -12.5
Cancer waiting times
TORBAY AND SOUTH DEVON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Number over 62 days in Dec 21 - 32 // 66.8% in 62 days in Dec 21// Number over 62 days in Dec 2019 - 13 // 85.9% in 62 days in Dec 19 // 53.8 % told in 28 days - Dec 21
NORTHERN DEVON HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST
Number over 62 days in Dec 21 - 18 // 55% in 62 days in Dec 21// Number over 62 days in Dec 2019 - 6 // 83.3% in 62 days in Dec 19 // 39.3% told in 28 days - Dec 21
ROYAL DEVON AND EXETER NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Number over 62 days in Dec 21 - 57 // 67.1% in 62 days in Dec 21// Number over 62 days in Dec 2019 - 35 // 76.9% in 62 days in Dec 19 // 83.8% told in 28 days - Dec 21
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS PLYMOUTH NHS TRUST
Number over 62 days in Dec 21 - 82 // 61.6% in 62 days in Dec 21// Number over 62 days in Dec 2019 - 51 // 69.7% in 62 days in Dec 19 // 78.1% told in 28 days - Dec 21
Diagnostic tests
TORBAY AND SOUTH DEVON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Number over 6 weeks - 2,236 // Number over 13 weeks 914 // 37.9% over 6 weeks
NORTHERN DEVON HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST
Number over 6 weeks - 3,527 // Number over 13 weeks - 2,340// 53.6% over 6 weeks
ROYAL DEVON AND EXETER NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Number over 6 weeks - 2,791 // Number over 13 weeks - 1,196 // 37.3% over 6 weeks
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS PLYMOUTH NHS TRUST
Number over 6 weeks - 3,637 // Number over 13 weeks - 1,367 // 32.1% over 6 weeks
Because of the pressure of Covid-19 and Omicron the number of people waiting for diagnostic tests has shot up to record highs.
NHS national medical director, Professor Stephen Powis said: “While seasonal pressures are ongoing, we are now beginning to see the full picture of the Omicron winter on the NHS, and despite sky-high staff absences, hardworking NHS staff continued to make inroads on the backlog that has inevitably built up and delivered 120,000 more tests and checks in December compared to the same time last year.”
The new Government target is for 95per cent of patients to wait less than six weeks by March 2025.
Responding to the record numbers waiting to start treatment, Dr Jeanette Dickson, President of the Royal College of Radiologists said: “These performance figures reflect the significant challenges facing the NHS, which require long term strategies and investment.
“Workforce is absolutely critical – our data tells us that there is a shortfall of 2,000 consultant radiologists, a number that, on current trends, will grow to over 6,000 within ten years.
“With diagnostic imaging (such as X-ray, MRI and CT) featuring in 80-90% of patient journeys, we need a long term plan and significant investment in trainee numbers to meet demand.
“Equally, with the cancer backlog growing, the shortfall in the clinical oncology workforce is 189 consultants, a 17% gap."
She added that equipment also needed updating, but warned there was no quick fix for the issues, instead needing sustained investment and delivery.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid announced the NHS Delivery Plan for tackling the Covid-19 backlog on Tuesday.
There are plans for extra funding, buying new equipment, and expanding capacity for tests and treatment. But doctors groups have warned that workforce pressures will make it a challenge to deliver the plan.
Responding to the publication of NHS England's Elective Recovery Plan, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said the NHS and patients desperately need this plan to succeed but that there were some big questions still to be addressed if this plan is to be effective.
He said: “The biggest limiting factor will be workforce shortages, given that there are currently 100,000 unfilled vacancies across the NHS.
“Even more worryingly over six in 10 doctors are suffering stress and work-related anxiety, half wish to reduce their hours and 20% are considering leaving the NHS altogether.
“Retaining the current workforce must therefore be the immediate priority – we cannot afford to lose any more staff at this most critical time. Tangible plans must be in place to prioritise staff wellbeing and pay and conditions, at a time when many doctors do not even have access to rest facilities at work. It is vital that punitive pension rules are reformed to prevent talented, senior clinicians from reducing their hours or leaving the NHS altogether.”
Across England in December, 14,132 people started treatment after an urgent referral, down from 14,889 in November, with 4,670 having waited longer than two months to start treatment.
That means just 67.0% of patients started treatment in 62 days, the lowest proportion on record.
The target is 85% - before the pandemic, in December 2019, 78.1% of patients were treated in 62 days, with 2,845 waiting longer.
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